After delay, man to begin trial for 15 burglaries

CHAMBERSBURG - A West Virginia man goes to trial Tuesday on allegations that he broke into 15 homes, of which most of the residents were senior citizens.

Terry Wayne Siford, 39, had pleaded not guilty to a couple hundred counts of burglary, robbery and theft in connection with incidents in 2013 and 2014 involving 15 homes of people ranging in age from the early 50s to early 90s.

Siford was a suspect in several burglaries across Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, with law enforcement looking for a vehicle they believed was associated with him. On the evening of the final burglary, troopers spotted Siford's suspected vehicle, and engaged in a short chase before he pulled to the side of the road.

When troopers detained him, they found a similar amount of cash as what had just been stolen during the burglary, according to court documents. Investigators also found Siford in possession of some of the stolen items from the homes in previous burglaries.

Fifteen witnesses told police about the nights of the burglaries at their respective homes, in which they either were woken up by movements in their homes or woke up later to find that their homes had been broken into.

A few residents told investigators they encountered Siford and he threatened to kill them.

Police did not specify what methods Siford used to break in, but did say there were instances that he forced his way into the homes.

Siford has been held at Franklin County Jail since he was taken into custody on Feb. 9, 2014, on $250,0000 bail.

Since then, there have been several hearings debating parts of the case, including the trooper's right to stop Siford upon seeing his suspected vehicle the night of the final burglary, whether certain experts and their reports could be introduced to the case, and even if Siford would keep his attorneys Brian Williams and Mark Bayley.

The need to resolve such issues caused Siford's trial to be postponed from the full week in March it was originally scheduled for.

Now, Siford's trial will begin on Tuesday, and is expected to run about two weeks. Victims, several members of law enforcement and experts are expected to testify over the course of the trial.